looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

[Wobblybob]

I've detailed my cars by hand for many years but now that I've been reading the articles and posts on MOL I realize that I didn't really know anything about how to properly detail a car. To that end I'm looking for advice on how to proceed on my first detail.

I recently purchased a G110v2, several Soft Buff 2.0 finishing and polishing pads and a bottle of 205. Unfortunately my back is acting up again (herniated disk) but I'm in physical therapy and should be fine in a few weeks. So while I'm waiting for my back to get better I'd thought that I would hopefully get for some advice and input on what products I should use and any tips on how I should proceed.

The car is a limited edition 1999 Miata Tenth Anniversary Edition (10AE) model with 19,000 miles. The color is a special Sapphire Blue Mica that was only used on the 1999 10AE. The blue and black color scheme continues to the interior with a blue & black leather wrapped Nardi stering wheel and shift knob, blue carpets and shift boot. The top is also blue. Mazda made 7500 of these and imported 3000 to the US. Each one is individually numbered with the sequence number indicated on the special badge on the driver side front fender (mine is #3431/7500).

I thought that the paint was in good condition until I took some pictures of the finish to post here. It looks like I have lots of swirls in the finish (some of the photos were taken with the macro setting).

I would like to remove most of the swirls and a few scratches and sort of jewel up the finish if possible. I'm thinking of doing the following after I wash and clay: M205 --> M07 --> NTX --> #26. I understand that Miata finishes are kind of soft so I'm not sure if I should use M105 or not.

Here are some pics of the car (This is my first post with pics so hopefully I've downloaded the pics correctly. I also have a new Mac that I'm learning. I apologize in advance if I've done any thing improperly!).

Thanks in advance!

Side view


Interior showing 10AE blue & black color scheme (I have seat covers on but seats are black leather with blue inserts and the Nardi shift knob & steering wheel are also blue & black)


following 3 pictures of the rear deck show some of the swirls (enhanced somewhat with a macro setting)






Scratches behind the driver side door (the 2 large white smear looking things are reflections or something. They're not on the finish)

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

Although Miatas do have traditionally soft paint, I found it necessary to use M105 on a Miata I polished recently - in some cases I even had to employ a cutting pad.

Here's the thread I posted on that experience ClearlyHammered Miata

I don't know of it will be of any help, but key to how you should approach your paint correction will be the current condition of the paint, and your expectations once you complete your correction.

[akimel]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

I think you are smart to begin with M205 (with a polishing pad). Do a TEST SPOT to see if it effects the level of paint correction that you desire. Check out this article: How to do a Test Spot.

If M205 does not do the job for you, then you can move up to Ultimate Compound or M105. I prefer the former, as I find it easier to use than M105. M105, on the other hand, is a more powerful compound and will therefore remove more defects.

You have a beautiful car! I can't believe that this 11 year old roadster only has 19,000 miles. What's the point of having a roadster if you're not going to drive it! Well, I'm sure you'll be putting a few miles on her now. Enjoy!

[Wobblybob]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

Clearly - I saw your "ClearlyHammered Miata" post when I did a search on Miatas. You did a fantastic job on that Miata. Mine's no where near that bad but I'll use it as a guide.

Al - Thanks for the test spot tip & post. I'll definitely do that. I'll start with the M205 and then try the UC if necessary. The finish has some swirls but otherwise seems in good shape.

Thanks for the compliment on the car. I bought it about 5 years ago with really low miles and because of our winters (I live near Buffalo, NY) it's only on the road for 6 months of the year. Plus the last 2 summers were pretty crappy weather-wise. Hopefully the weather gods smile on us this summer! A Subaru Impreza is my DD.

Also, thanks for you Mac computer post. It was a great help and I don't think I could have posted the pics without it!


Does the rest of my plan (M07 --> NTX --> #26) seem good for this car?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

I used to have a '99 Miata, Emerald Mica, and the paint was a piece of cake to work on. A gentle approach was all that was needed to correct it. SwirlX or M205 would be a good starting point, probably with a W8207 polishing pad.

We had someone at an Open Garage a couple of years ago with a black NC Miata who was really struggling to get clear finish and kept going more and more aggressive, believing he just wasn't getting all the defects out. Well, he wasn't getting them all out because he was putting them all in! He had used M105 on a polishing pad and even stepped up to a cutting pad, but the paint looked horrible. We had him step down to M205 on a finishing pad and it immediately cleared everything up.

Just remember to take your time and move the tool slowly over the paint. Run it at speed 5 and use moderate pressure, but keep the pad flat on the paint.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

One more thing..... it should be noted that, although every Miata I've ever worked on had fairly soft paint that was quite easy to correct, John's experience with the "Clearly Hammered Miata" just proves our point that you can not make sweeping generalizations about paint hardness for a given make/model.

You never really know what you're dealing with until you start dealing with it.

[Wobblybob]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

Thanks for all of the tips! My back is starting to feel better and I should be able to tackle my first detail with the G110v2 by next weekend. I've also have been doing a lot of research and reading on MOL so I feel pretty confident that I can do a successful detail on the Miata (I'll practice on the Subaru first though!). I'll post some pics when I'm done.

Everyone has been so helpful and informative on MOL. This has to be one of the best sites on the web!

Michael - I love that emerald mica color on the Miatas. Kind of close to a BRG. That's the cool thing, you are car guys! Not only do you have a vast knowledge of detailing and Meguiar's but you (and everyone here) knows cars! So cool!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

That's the cool thing, you are car guys! Not only do you have a vast knowledge of detailing and Meguiar's but you (and everyone here) knows cars! So cool!

Oh, we're car guys alright! If ever that was in doubt, just take a look at our recent display here at work - full of nothing but employee cars!

[NC Miata in NC]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

Nice 10AE! That's my favorite NB...

Nothing else to add really, just had to say that

[Wobblybob]

Re: looking for advice on my first detail on my Miata

Nice 10AE! That's my favorite NB...

Nothing else to add really, just had to say that

Thanks for the compliment! When I was looking for a NB I had pretty much narrowed my search down to either a 1999 10AE, a 2000 SE or a 2001 BRG SE. It's funny, I was looking all over the eastern US as far south as the Carolinas and I found my 10AE a block away from where I live!

Miatas are probably one of the best values in a sports car. It would have been nice if they came out with a 20AE. I guess we'll have to wait to see if they come out with a 25AE!